Avianca Cancellation Policy and Refund Rules

Last Updated: Dec 29, 2025

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Flight plans can change at any time. That is why understanding the Avianca cancellation policy matters before you cancel or request a refund. Avianca follows different refund and cancellation rules based on the country where you bought the ticket and how early you cancel.

Some refunds depend on local laws. Others depend on fare type or timing. Knowing these details helps you avoid confusion, delays, and lost money when plans change.

How Avianca Refund Rules Work?

Avianca does not follow one single rule for all passengers. Refund conditions change based on where the ticket was issued and how the ticket was purchased. Online bookings, contact center bookings, and travel agency bookings may follow different timelines.

The Avianca cancellation policy also depends on how many hours or days remain before departure. In some countries, passengers can cancel within a short window and receive most of the fare back. In others, only specific fare types qualify for refunds.

Countries With Short Refund Windows

Some countries allow refunds only within a limited number of days after purchase. If you miss these timelines, you may lose your right to a refund under the Avianca cancellation policy. These rules depend on local laws and apply strictly, so timing matters a lot.


For Argentina, refund requests must be made within 10 days of purchase. If you cancel more than 24 hours before the flight departure, Avianca refunds 90% of the fare or additional service. If you cancel less than 24 hours before departure, the refund drops to 80% of the fare.


For Brazil, tickets must be purchased at least 7 days before the flight departure date to qualify. Refund requests must be made within 24 hours of purchase. In some cases, additional services may also qualify for a refund if the request is submitted within 7 days of purchase and meets the fare conditions.


For Canada, refunds apply only if the cancellation request is made within 24 hours after ticket issuance. Another important condition is that the flight must be scheduled to depart at least 7 days later. If either condition is not met, the refund may not apply.


For Mexico, refunds are available within 24 hours of purchase for both first-issued and reissued tickets. Requests made after this window usually do not qualify for a refund.

These timelines play a key role in the Avianca cancellation policy, and missing them can directly affect whether you receive your money back.

South America Refund Conditions

Several South American countries follow withdrawal and cancellation laws that protect passengers. These rules allow refunds if requests are made within specific time limits and before travel begins.

In Chile, passengers can request a refund within 10 calendar days of purchase if the trip has not started. Both tickets and additional services qualify.


In Colombia, passengers may request a withdrawal within 5 business days if the flight does not depart within the next 5 days. For cancellations, requests must be made at least 24 hours before departure.


In Ecuador, withdrawal requests must be made within 2 business days after purchase. Cancellation requests must be made at least 72 hours before departure.

In El Salvador, withdrawal requests apply within 8 calendar days if the trip has not started. Cancellations must be requested at least 24 hours before departure.

Colombia and Ecuador Special Rules

Some countries under the Avianca cancellation policy apply extra conditions that travelers should review carefully.

  • In Colombia, passengers can request a withdrawal within 5 business days from the date of purchase if the flight does not start within the next 5 calendar days. The refund includes the full ticket amount, excluding administrative fees.
  • For Colombia cancellations, passengers must cancel at least 24 hours before departure. Avianca refunds 90% of the ticket fare, but fare type restrictions apply.
  • In Ecuador, passengers can request a withdrawal within 2 business days from the date of purchase. This rule applies only to tickets issued after July 20, 2024.
  • For Ecuador cancellations, passengers must cancel at least 72 hours before the flight departure. Avianca refunds 90% of the ticket fare, excluding administrative fees, and promotional fares do not qualify.

United States Cancellation Guidelines

For flights to or from the United States, Avianca follows strict consumer protection rules. Passengers can cancel within 24 hours of ticket issuance if the flight departs at least 7 days later. This applies only to the ticket and not to extra services.


After 24 hours, refunds depend on fare rules. Some fares remain non-refundable. Medical cases may qualify under force majeure if proper documents are provided. Baggage refunds apply only if bags are lost or significantly delayed, based on specific conditions.


Understanding these rules helps travelers manage expectations under the Avianca cancellation policy.

When Refunds May Not Apply?

Not all tickets qualify for refunds under the Avianca cancellation policy. In many cases, promotional fares do not allow cancellations or refunds at all. If a passenger cancels after the allowed time window, Avianca may reject the request.


Additional services such as seats, meals, or baggage may also lose refund eligibility if they were already used or if the cancellation does not meet country rules. Administrative fees usually do not get refunded even when the ticket qualifies. This is why reading fare conditions before canceling matters.

Planning Flights Before You Cancel

Many travelers cancel flights without checking all options. Sometimes changing a flight or adjusting travel dates works better than canceling fully. Understanding fare rules early helps you avoid losses.


Before making a cancellation decision, it helps to compare flight options and timing carefully. Platforms like Travelpodium allow travelers to review flight details, fare conditions, and schedules clearly in one place. This helps you decide whether cancellation, change, or rebooking makes more sense for your situation.

Common Mistakes Travelers Make

Many refund issues happen because travelers miss simple rules. One common mistake is waiting too long to submit a refund request. Another mistake is assuming all fares work the same way.


Some travelers also forget that country laws apply based on where the ticket was issued, not where the passenger lives. Others ignore fare type rules and expect full refunds on promotional tickets. Avoiding these mistakes makes the Avianca cancellation policy easier to manage.

Making Smart Cancellation Decisions

Canceling a flight feels stressful when the rules are unclear. Knowing timelines, country conditions, and fare limits helps you stay prepared. When you understand how the Avianca cancellation policy works, you make decisions with more confidence.

Before booking or canceling, review your options carefully. Book your flight with Travelpodium to compare fares clearly, understand conditions early, and plan with confidence before making any cancellation decisions.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

The Avianca cancellation policy explains how and when passengers can cancel flights and request refunds based on country laws, fare type, and timing.

Yes, in many countries, including the United States, you can cancel within 24 hours of purchase if the flight departs at least 7 days later.

No, some fares, especially promotional tickets, do not allow refunds.

Refund processing time varies, but Avianca usually updates passengers after reviewing the refund request form.

Additional services like baggage or seats may qualify for refunds only if they were not used and meet country rules.

Yes, Avianca follows different refund laws for each country where the ticket was issued.

If you miss the deadline, Avianca may reject the refund request.

You must submit your request using Avianca’s official refund form through their website or support channels.

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Annu

Annu is a content writer who loves turning ideas into clear, engaging words. She explores new writing styles, tools, and technologies, and enjoys experimenting with cooking and other creative hobbies in her free time.

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